bookworm

noun

book·​worm ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm 

: a person unusually devoted to reading and study

Synonyms of bookworm

• nerd
• geek

Examples of bookworm in a Sentence

She was always a bookworm when she was a kid.

a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity

Recent Examples on the Web

Alastair Stout will play Harry’s best friend Ronald Weasley, and Arabella Stanton will round out the classic trio of heroes as bookworm Hermione Granger, who matches the courage of the previous two Gryffindors. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

What started as a hobby for two sisters, who were born and raised on Milwaukee's south side, has transformed into two organizations that bring books by Latino authors to new readers and bookworms alike. — Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 31 July 2026

Tobie Donovan plays the bookworm Isaac Henderson in Heartstopper, who opens up to his friends in season 3 about being asexual and aromantic. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

The variety of fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and best-sellers available could sustain even the most diehard bookworms for a lifetime. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bookworm

• affirm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm

Kids Definition

bookworm

noun

book·​worm -ˌwərm 

1

: any of various insect larvae that feed on the binding and paste of books

2

: a person devoted to reading or study